Dumped Then Claimed By A Billionaire (Nerissa and Owen) novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3 The Expert

His name was Lennox, the ninth son of the Stratford family, a man held in the highest regard.

Quincy Stratford and Hannah Stratford were deeply in love. When Hannah became pregnant at forty-five, the child came unexpectedly and was showered with extraordinary affection.

Lennox was ruthless in his methods and had already begun to make waves in the business world at eighteen. Now, at just thirty, he stood at the very top of the financial elite, a true power broker in every sense.

In the past, Lennox had served as a peacekeeping officer. His hands had been stained with the blood of aggressors, and there was a lethal aura about him that never quite faded.

Very few people dared to meet his eyes. Nerissa was the first.

“Lennox.” Luke Merritt had just caught up when he heard Nerissa’s remark about him. He froze on the spot.

Lennox had long occupied a position of absolute authority. No matter what he did, he was always the best.

Over the years, he had grown accustomed to flattery and praise from others.

Even Luke, who stayed by Lennox’s side, was constantly fawned over.

This was the first time Luke had ever heard someone give Lennox such a blunt, impartial evaluation.

Luke was intensely curious about what the woman looked like. But the night was dark, and with Nerissa wearing a baseball cap, he couldn’t make out her face clearly.

At that moment, sharp police sirens suddenly cut through the air.

A group of officers got out of their cars, and the battered, bruised punks were all loaded into police vehicles.

As witnesses, Nerissa, Lennox, and Luke naturally had to go to the police department to give statements.

Nerissa accompanied the short-haired girl into the back seat of a patrol car.

The girl had been badly shaken. Even after getting into the car, she clung tightly to Nerissa. Despite a female officer gently comforting her, she refused to let go, clearly treating Nerissa as the one she trusted most.

About ten minutes later, they arrived at the nearest police department.

Only after reaching the station did Nerissa learn the full story.

The short-haired girl was named Faye Penhaligon, just eighteen years old and in her final year of high school. That night, Faye had gone out to clear her head with her best friend after the friend had a fight with her parents.

When danger struck, however, the so-called best friend ran away without hesitation and didn’t even call the police.

Nerissa frowned slightly. “Miss, you actually keep friends like that?”

Faye’s voice was hoarse. “I didn’t think she would abandon me.”

“Remember this lesson,” Nerissa said, reaching out to pat Faye on the shoulder. “Stay away from people like that in the future. If you keep them around long-term, they’ll ruin your luck.”

“Okay.” Faye nodded. “I’ll cut ties with her as soon as I get back. Thank you so much for tonight. If it weren’t for you, I might have, ” Toward the end, her eyes reddened again.

No one knew how terrified Faye had been.

Just a little later, if Nerissa hadn’t appeared in time, she might already have been violated by those punks.

Still in shock, Faye finished her statement and then slumped over the desk, drifting into a drowsy sleep.

Nerissa carefully withdrew the hand Faye had been holding, informed the officer, and prepared to leave.

It was too late. She needed to get home as soon as possible.

But just as she stepped out of the office, a female officer followed her. “Ms. Jamison, the victim’s parents just called. They said they’ll be here shortly and want to thank you in person. Would you like to stay a bit longer?”

“No, thank you,” Nerissa declined politely.

She had acted on instinct, nothing more.

Since the statements were done, there was no need for her to stay and accept their gratitude.

The female officer watched Nerissa’s retreating figure with a thoughtful look.

If she hadn’t checked Nerissa’s passport, she never would have believed that the girl in front of her was only nineteen, just one year older than Faye.

Nerissa was calm under pressure, skilled in combat, and free of vanity. Even after taking down a group of punks late at night and saving Faye, she hadn’t shown the slightest hint of pride.

Most people, even if they didn’t brag outright, would still feel smug.

But Nerissa didn’t.

From beginning to end, she remained composed.

The officer had worked at the police department for many years, and this was the first time she had encountered someone as distinctive as Nerissa.

Just as Luke was doubting himself, Lennox spoke again. “I remember the proposal Calloway Group submitted this time was exceptionally impressive.”

Luke was momentarily stunned, then replied, “Yes. Their proposal really was outstanding. You even praised it during the meeting. It was creative, aligned with modern youth values, and incorporated elements of traditional Cilowesad culture.

“Owen really is capable. Without him, Calloway Group probably would’ve gone bankrupt long ago.”

Everyone had assumed that after the crisis, Calloway Group would become unstable and gradually decline.

Yet Owen had single-handedly pulled the company back from the brink of bankruptcy. People praised him as a dark horse.

Not only had he saved Calloway Group, but he had pushed it to an entirely new level.

Industry insiders widely speculated that Calloway Group’s future would be limitless.

Many investment banking giants had placed their bets on Calloway Group, expecting Owen to lead them to the top.

Lennox narrowed his eyes slightly. His expression was unreadable, his thoughts impossible to decipher. He spoke calmly. “If Owen were truly that exceptional and capable of leading Calloway Group out of crisis, then he wouldn’t have been mediocre for all those years at the company.”

“Lennox, are you suggesting that Owen didn’t come up with that proposal?” Luke caught the implication immediately.

“Yes.” Lennox gave a slight nod.

If Owen were genuinely that gifted, Calloway Group would have gone international long ago.

Luke squinted. “But who would willingly stay hidden behind Owen and let him take all the credit?”

Luke thought, ‘That proposal received rave reviews and was valued at over ten million. No idiot would work anonymously behind the scenes and give up all recognition.

‘Besides, Owen comes from a blue-blood family. Griffin was once a towering figure. It’s not strange for the Calloway family to produce a prodigy.’

He added aloud, “Lennox, could you be overthinking this?”

Lennox was formidable, yes, but not to the point where he could judge a man’s true worth just by looking at him.

Luke was about to say more when Lennox’s deep voice filled the car once again.

“Investigate it,” Lennox ordered. “Find out who the real mastermind standing behind Owen is.”